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West Side Story Playbill from Starlight Theatre Kansas City, MO) KANSAS CITY SHOWTIMES
Tue 08/20/2024 8:00PM
Wed 08/21/2024 8:00PM Thu 08/22/2024 8:00PM Fri 08/23/2024 8:00PM Sat 08/24/2024 8:00PM Sun 08/25/2024 8:00PM UPCOMING PRODUCTIONS AND PERFORMANCES WORLDWIDE
Sep 5-7* Nottingham, UK Duchess Theatre
Sep 8* Ridgefield, CT Ridgefield Playhouse Sep 25-Oct 11 Vienna, Austria Volksoper Wien Oct 3-6* Lynchburg, VA The Academy Center Of The Arts Oct 10-27* Rochester, NY OFC Creations Theatre Center Dec 7-29* Il Sistina, Rome, Italy Dec 31 Nantes, France Cité des Congrès (Film with Live Orchestra) Jan 1 Angers, France Centre de Congrès (Film with Live Orchestra) Jan 16-19* Florence, Italy Teatro Verdi Jan 31* Houston, TX Brown Theatre, Wortham Theater Center (w/orchestra and chorus) Feb 13-15 Nashville, TN Schermerhorn Symphony Center (Film with Live Orchestra) Feb 13-16* Columbus, OH Ohio Theatre (Opera with ballet) Feb 27-Apr 13* Fort Atkinson, WI, The Fireside Dinner Theatre May 9-11* Indianapolis, IN The Indianapolis Zoo (w/Indianapolis Opera) Jun 5-Jul 6* Dexter, MI Maas Encore Theatre Jul 29-31 Barcelona, Spain Gran Teatre del Liceu (Concert Version) *= Full Production
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The metro’s east side becomes the location again for West Side Story--
For the ninth time in the venue’s history and first since 2007, West Side Story, the modern classic re-telling of the Romeo and Juliet doomed love story, has returned to the live stage in Kansas City, playing at Starlight Theatre through this Sunday. We were fortunate to take in the opening night, on a picture-perfect evening under the stars and a near-full moon.
The NYC-set tale of two young, idealistic lovers who find themselves caught between warring street gangs, is still universal, and the underlying themes of senseless violence, unfounded fear of immigrants, and the toxicity of racism, are unfortunately as seemingly urgent as ever.
The tale of the two rival gangs- the "American" Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks is set in the era of the play’s beginnings, roughly mid-50's Upper Western Side of Manhattan and exposes the struggle to survive in a world that can hate, be prejudiced, and be deadly, as a young couple (Tony and Maria) in their blossoming love, strives to rise above it all.
As a production, West Side Story has had a bit of a recent rebirth, with a Broadway revival directed by Ivo van Hove opened in late February 2020 (unfortunately closing just weeks later due to the pandemic) followed by the Academy Award-winning 2021 film written by Tony Kushner and directed by Steven Spielberg.
This version remains primarily faithful to the original (1957 stage play and resulting 1961 film), not trying to modernize any facet or make it more politically correct for the times (all of which is a good thing).
Like the Jerome Robbins original, it is carefully choreographed as much or more than traditionally acted, with expressive half-dance/half-mime ballets representing the battles and gang rumbles. The lush and dramatic Leonard Bernstein score (with Stephen Sondheim lyrics) still accentuates the action in this distinctively unique pairing.
The songs themselves, have been part of the cultural ether for more than six decades, so at least a couple are familiar to even the most non-theater going attendee. Additionally, its overall influence in terms of the choreography, songwriting, and storytelling, have influenced numerous productions since, and continue to do so.
The other unique characteristic of this particular staging is that a great deal of local talent is being utilized – from Musical Director Anthony Edwards who deftly interprets the Bernstein score with an all-local orchestra, to the supporting characters and the Teen Ensemble, made up of youth from Starlight’s Community Engagement program, all in their best form and visibly excited to be a part of this run.
As far as we can tell, the show is indeed touring, but just the principal roles, not the entire production, which is very different from most Broadway road shows. In some markets, there is an orchestra and chorus (presumably local); in others, only the classic film is playing with a live music soundtrack. So, while it’s a little confusing, rest assured the property is circulating through the US and Europe, though what form it may take, depends on where, and its resources.
Speaking of the primary players, the standout lead was of course, the role of Maria, played by Sabina Collazo, herself a native of Puerto Rico, and who brings a multi-octave, operatic voice to the character that soars with every song. Spencer Larue in the role of Tony, brings a common man empathy to his young man in love, blinded and somewhat idealistic that love itself can change the neighborhood cultures enough and as much as it changed himself.
Stage sets were several in number and gave the look of 1950’s NYC, aimed spotlights heightened the drama of the rumble and solo performances, and the venue’s video screens helped to better see the emotions on the actor’s faces, in greater detail as the story unfolded.
West Side Story is a modern classic that's almost always worth catching, and the opportunity to also see the quality of so much local talent- in the production, playing the music, and behind the scenes, is an extra and appreciated reason to see this version of the timeless show.
(Photos of the German production provided by Johan Persson via their website) / Click on any image to enlarge and see in full)
| john c ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ X / Twitter.com |
These photos are from the West Side Story International Tour, not Starlight Theatre.
Posted by: Tom | 09/13/2024 at 11:57 PM
That is correct--
We requested access to protected Dropbox PR assets (including photos) both before and after seeing the show, but never got any response from the show's PR/Marketing, so could not swap these out, as hoped.
Posted by: John C | 09/15/2024 at 06:17 PM